David p



(No Model.)

D. P. BELKNAP.

SHIRT. 110.266.7 18. Patented Oct. 31, 1882.

INVEN'IOR DAVID P. BELKNAP, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

SHIRT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 266,748, dated October 31, 1882.

Application filed February 16, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID P. BELKNAP, a citizen of the United States, and residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented a cer-' tain new and useful Improvement in Shirts, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in shirts; and it consists, first, in providing the shirt with an open bosom orfront, which is made double or single breasted, the flaps of which have no buttons or studs, are unfastened at the bottom or base, and when doubled one overlaps the other, being interchangeable; second, in providing a collar of such a cut or shape and of such arrangement upon the shirt that it can be worn high or low, loose or tight, in the neck; third, in providing an entire shirt-viz., the body and collar joined together-combinin g the above improvements, so that it can be worn without any button, stud, or other fastening than the necktie.

In the drawings which are hereunto annexed, and which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan view representing the right-hand flap turned within, and the collar attached to the shirt and standing up. Fig. 2 is a plan view representing the left-hand flap turned within, and the attached collar folded down at the usual point. Fig. 3 represents a partial view of the inner side of one flap, showing a strip of cloth sewed thereon by one edge only, to protect the face of the other flap from being soiled and injured by the ornamental studs, spirals, &c., worn in the bosom. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the collar only partially turned down. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the collar completely turned down. Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a shirt adapted to be worn with a separate or detachable collar fastened thereto by three fiat studs.

Similar letters of reference are used to designate like parts throughout the several views.

The bosom of the shirt is divided lengthwise into two parts, the flap A of the right-hand portion being of such a width as to extend part way across the left-hand portion of the bosom, (more or less, as may be desired,) while the flap B of the left-hand portion is of such a width as to extend an equal distance across the right-hand portion of the bosom. When a single flap is used it can be either on the right or on the left, as preferred. At the lower ends of the flaps an opening or offset, D, is made, so as to admit of an easy play of the flap or flaps and a ready interchange of flaps from right to left or left to right. By having this offset the bosom and collar can be kept in position without the use of buttons, studs, or other fastening simply by the clasp of the ordinary cravat or necktie, as no drawing down of the bosoms or flaps will take place by reason of the detachment from the body of the shirt at the point D, as will be readily seen.

By this construction the bosom will set much smoother, and will not gap open or be easily crumpled by the movements of the body of the wearer, as would be the case if the flap or flaps were wholly joined to the body of the shirt at the point E. Being interchangeable, as above described, when double, one bosom flap, if soiled or injured, can without loss of time, or the delay of changing the shirt, be readily covered by bringing the other flap to the front.

The collarG is made without a band, and is attached directly to the neck part of the shirt and bosoms, as shown, and the edges or meeting ends are straight out, or nearly so, and when in position the points of juncture are at the center of the bosoms, as shown in Fig. 1. An intermediate neckband, however, may be employed, if desired, but is less appropriate.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. The open-front shirt hereinbefore shown and described, provided with the overlapping or interchangeable flaps A and B and the offset D, constructed and arranged to operate substantially in the manner specified.

2. The combination and arrangement of a shirt having one or more flaps or bosoms, and provided with an offset or disconnection at the base of the bosom or flaps, and adapted to be worn with a collar permanently connected to the shirt, or a detachable collar, substantially in the manner as herein set forth and described.

In testimony that Iclaim theforegoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th day of January, 1882.

D. I. BELKNAP. [L.

Witnesses:

O. W. M. SMITH, Guns. E. KELLY. 

